By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): A police officer in Florida is accused of finding a man dead during a welfare check, then taking over his identity and his house.
Brian Louis Sguros, 35, an officer with the Lauderhill Police Department, was arrested this week by the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, according to the BBC.
Investigators say that in 2022, Sguros was called in as backup for a welfare check on 71 year old Dennis West, who was found dead of natural causes.
Authorities allege Sguros then told the medical examiner he was West’s friend and that West had no living relatives. Investigators say neither claim was true. West’s body was later cremated.
Sguros allegedly moved into the two storey home in August 2022, paid utilities in the dead man’s name and renovated the property, claiming he spent more than US$214,000.
The scheme was uncovered when West’s heirs tried to sell the property.
Sguros faces charges including official misconduct and criminal use of a deceased person’s identification. He was released on a US$25,000 bond and placed on paid administrative leave. He has not commented on the charges.
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